SIR — J B Worth of North Petherton rushes to the defence of the rescue services apropos the concerns raised over the fire safety measures at the Bakelite Museum in Williton as raised by an off duty officer (Your Letters November 19).

I am sure he is right to defend a worthy and dedicated group of people upon whom we depend at times of crisis.

However, his comment that he understands the collection has "some appeal to a certain group of people" falls somewhere between being extremely patronising and downright rude.

There are many in this area who have worthwhile interests, some less mainstream than others, and thank goodness there are.

In this one sentence, Mr Worth comes across as being intolerant of individuality.

By implying there is something odd about having an interest in the products of a manufacturing industry which had a colossal impact on the 20th century, he throws away much of the sympathy he may have earned in the rest of his letter.

David Beach,

Middle Street,